QD 


IRLF 


SB    E73    3E3 


ETHEL- C9TT9M 


DOWN  LYRIC  LANES 

*B    ETHEL  COTTON 


HARR  WAGNER   PUBLISHING  CO. 
SAN   FRANCISCO 


COPYRIGHT   1911 
ETHEL  £OTTON 


'Printed Jbj   •>* 


... 


DEDICATION 

To  you  who  by  opening  your 

heart  have  alleged  me  to  crtep 

into  your  un.de rstan din%9':  fhi? 

little  volume  is  lovingly 

dedicated. 


517435 


INDEX 

SUN  AND  SHADE: 

Fog  Curtain,  San  Francisco        .        .        •        ,        .        .  9 

I  Greet  Thee,  Spring          «         .         .         .        .         .         .  7 

I  Stand  Beside  a  Spring      .        .        ...        .        .  13 

In  Fancy's  Wonderland      .        .        .        .        .        .        .  18 

Leaves           .        ,        ,        .         .        ,         .         ..         .  17 

Spirit  of  Sap  , Francisdfc>  /  *..  I  ;t  ;    I 15 

Summer        C  •••  .       •.*»'    V*  '.*"„.        .        .        .  12 

Tamalpais  •#  .j  •••.*•••;  v     ;..'.'.*'.        .        .        .  8 

Under  rj»e  •Trejs.*"*:  •••  *'  \  •••  •' '  '•  V      ."        .        .        .  10 

Wrath            .        ,                 .        .        .                 .         .         .  14 

HIGH  NOON: 

Bugle  Note       .    .     '  .        ...        .        .        .        .  26 

Potential        ....        .        .                 .        .        .  27 

Sunrise .....28 

Symbol  Flower     ...        .        .        ..        .        .  31 

To  My  Friend     ...        .        .        .        .        .        .  25 

To  W.  E.  M.       .        .        .        .'....        .  30 

ON  UPWARD  TRAILS: 

A  Picture      . .        .        .  37 

Blinded 42 

I  Walk   Unafraid        .........  41 

Kinship 36 

On  Hearing  of  the  Death  of  Caruso          ....  40 

Prayer           .                 43 

The  China  Lily    .        .        ...        .        ...  39 

Two  Roads 35 


SUN   AND   SHADE 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


I  GREET  THEE,  SPRING 

Hail  to  thee,  Springtime  of  Gladness 
Wonderful  year-time  of  promise ! 
Each  little  bud  in  its  outline 
Sketching  the  coming  of  summer, 
Soon  to  burst  forth  in  its  beauty, 
Full  and  complete  in  its  glory ! 
All  of  thy  delicate  colors, 
Wistful  and  dainty  as  fog-wreaths, 
Hover  around  and  about  us. 
Tenderly  brooding  above  us, 
Filtering  into  our  senses, 
Stir  the  deep  wells  of  our  beings; 
Lift  vague  and  shadowy  fancies, 
Limn  them,  alluring,  before  us. 
Hope  is  in  every  tendril, 
Tiptoeing  up  to  the  star-light, 
Climbing  more  close  to  the  star-light; 
Power  in  every  blade-throb, 
Feeling  the  pull  of  the  planets; 
Gladness  in  every  streamlet, 
Rippling  in  joy  to  the  river; 
Spirit  of  flower-clad  beauty, 
Symbol  of  gladness,  I  greet  you ! 


[7] 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


TAMALPAIS 


With  superhuman  strength  you  shook 

Your  giant  head,  and  raised  it  to  the  sky. 

One  mighty  effort  you  put  forth, 

And  lo !  aloft  you  stand,  your  huge  form  lifted  high, 

Through  walls  of  rock  you  came, — and  broke 
The  mighty  masses,  tossing  them  f arf  free ! 

The  fragments  pierce  your  mammoth  form 
As  mighty  scars,  now  healed,  revealing  victory. 

As  on  a  face  made  beautiful 

With  marks  of  battles  won,  and  conquered  pride, 
So  all  the  beauty  of  the  years 

Is  shown  upon  your  slopes,  emerging  from  your 
side. 

Uncompromising,  proud  you  stand; 

Majestic  picture  as  you  lordly  tower; 
Emblem  of  strength,  great  force  reserved, 

Unfaltering  monument  of  your  eternal  power ! 


[8] 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


FOG  CURTAIN 

San  Francisco 

Nature,  beneficent,  with  artist's  eye 
And  lavish  hand,  her  draperies  hung  high; 
They  billow  full  on  all  her  city  gates, 
Encircling  her  seven  hills  with  soft 
Diaphanous  folds  of  silvered  loveliness. 
From  hill  to  hill  the  curtain  clings,  and  falls 
In  limpid  lines  and  curves; — and  swerves  above 
Her  strongly-chiselled  features  lovingly. 

Life's  elements  are  guarded  well  beneath 

The  mantle,  holding  close  the  juice  of  life. 

No  blighting  touch  of  frozen  finger-tips 

Dare  venture  under  the  protecting  veil, 

Nor  over-heated  breath  of  fevered  sun 

To  draw  the  moisture  from  the  pregnant  air, — 

Salt-laden  strength  that  seeps  into  her  soil. 

Chosen  days,  rare  days,  in  fleece-like  waves, 

The  languid  folds  are  swung  aloft  and  blend 

With  warm  sky-mist,  that  shafts  of  golden  strength 

May  fall  upon  our  city's  naked  breasts 

And  penetrate  her  form  with  nourishment, 

The  while  she  breathes  the  tempered  atmosphere. 

With  twilight's  soft  approach  her  mantle,  loosed, 
Lightly  falls  across  her  curving  form, 
And,  as  a  timid  lover,  wraps  her  close 
In  tender,  soft  embrace;  to  sleep  again 
Cloistered  within  her  coverlet  of  silver. 

[9] 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


UNDER  THE  TREES 

Under  the  trees  I'm  reclining, 

Under  the  sheltering  trees — 
Heaven  is  caught  in  the  branches, 

Patches  of  blue  link  the  leaves, 
Sheltering  me  with  seclusion, 

Shutting  away  space  and  time, 
Bringing  a  sense  of  abandon, 

Peace  and  a  languor  sublime. 

Under  the  trees  I  am  hearing 

Thoughts  not  expressed  in  mere  words, 
Secrets  revealed  by  the  breezes, 

Echoed  in  songs  of  the  birds. 
Murmurings  out  of  the  ether, 

Voices  from  vastness  afar, 
Melodies  fluttering  earthward, 

Songs  that  were  born  on  a  star ! 

Under  the  trees  pungent  perfumes 

Permeate  me,  and  renew 
Memories  dear  of  dim  forests, 

Cedar  and  cypress  and  yew; 
Falling  leaves  scatter  their  fragrance, 

Baptism  holy  and  sweet, 
Filling  the  air  with  an  incense, 

Scenting  soft  paths  for  my  feet. 


10 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


Under  the  trees  all  my  senses, 

Stretched  toward  the  canopy  green,- 
Touch  the  tall  tips  of  the  branches 

Hid  in  the  shadowy  screen. 
Life  is  imbued  with  a  fullness, 

Earth  is  a  garden  of  ease 
Under  the  trees  in  the  open, 

Under  broad  sheltering  trees. 


ii 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


SUMMER 


Moments  there  are  when  joy  has  filled  the  heart 
Too  full  for  one  more  upward  sigh; 

When  deepest  yearnings  of  the  soul  surge  strong 

within, 
But  silent  die. 

Before  the  cup  is  over-filled  or  runs 

Beyond  its  bound, 
A  moment  of  quick  ecstasy  vibrates  the  calm, 

Deep  peace,  profound. 

Summer !   Zenith  of  all  beauty, — Art 

Supreme,  weaving  with  thy  myriad  tinted  bloom 
A  fabric  exquisite;  the  masterpiece 

Of  Nature's  loom. 


[12 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


I  STAND  BESIDE  A  SPRING 

It  bubbles  from  the  earth  unceasingly; 

Unceasingly  it  sends  forth  water  clear 
From  source  unending, — from  a  bountiful 

And  unturned  faucet,  flowing  year  by  year. 

What  giant  hand  could  lay  this  mighty  main 
That  furnishes  the  life  to  beast  and  man? 

What  wisdom  filter  all  the  streams  of  earth, 
Supply  men's  needs  upon  this  lavish  plan? 

Spontaneously  it  sparkles  from  the  earth, 
As  if  it  joyed  to  live,  and  squandered  free 

Its  gift.     Its  subtle  touch  paints  deep  the  rose. 
Its  pregnant  power  stirs  every  budding  tree. 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


WRATH 


The  sea  is  breathing  heavily  tonight, 

Like  some  huge  beast  unsatisfied,  but  leashed; 

It  heaves  its  savage  breast, 

And  tugs  to  strain  the  chafing  of  its  bounds. 

The  weathered  clouds,  taunting  above  its  lunging  head, 

Beyond  its  power  to  strike, 

But  stirs  its  sullenness. 

Now  muttering  low,  it  growls  and  snarls 
And  shows  rts  fangs  of  tawny  foam ; 
Still  tossing,  battling  restlessly, 
With  wrath  increasing,  voice  becoming  loud, 
It  shouts  its  vengeance  at  the  stolid  cliff ! 

Incensed  by  the  repulse, 
As  if  the  mad  attack  increased  its  fury, 
It  beats  and  lashes  all  its  ominous  depths 
Into  a  mad  upheaval  of  white  rage,  until — 
Exhausted,  spent,  and  broken  in  weak  wrath, 
It  dribbles  back  and  slinks  away,  ashamed. 

The  sea  is  breathing  restlessly  tonight, 

As  if  disturbed  by  its  mad  burst  of  futile  passion. 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


SPIRIT  OF  SAN  FRANCISCO 

Spirit  intangible  that  creeps  and  slowly  sinks 
Its  roots  into  the  soul !    Spirit  unbound, 
Unchartered, — ever  roving  where  it  wills — 
Rising  elusive  from  the  pregnant  ways, 
Embracing,  sense-absorbing,  vine-like  myth, 
As  strong  and  varied  as  her  rough-hewn  hills ! 

Encouraging  the  languorous  to  loll 

At  ease  upon  her  sun-draped  slopes,  and  dream — 

While  pillowed  soft  in  fragrance — lazy  dream 

Of  sunny  slopes  of  Spain,  to  turn  again 

And  see  them  mirrored  in  the  silver  bay. 

The  roving  soul,  sprawled  restless  on  the  sands, 
Peering  with  seeing  eyes  beyond  the  gate, 
Contented,  shrugs  more  deep  his  shoulders  wide, 
And  settles  in  the  shifting  sand-grains,  as 
From  lowered  lids  he  follows  vagrant  craft 
Across  the  bar,  and  sees  them  slowly  drop 
Below  the  curve  of  the  horizon's  edge; 
Knowing,  however  fair  the  old  worlds  seem, 
The  veering  sails  will  one  day  turn  again 
To  catch  the  western  breeze;  and  drift  once  more 
Within  the  shelter  of  the  luring  port. 


[15] 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


Tang  of  the  air,  that  presses  open  wide 

The  lifted  nostril;  thrusting  in  its  curve 

Revivifying  odors  of  salt  spray! 

The  breeze  with  incense  of  the  Orient", 

Faint  pungency  of  eucalyptus  sap, 

And  subtle  sweetness  of  the  lupines'  juice ! 

The  rigid  son  of  Commerce,  Protege 
Of  Art, — Bohemia's  loved  vagabond, — 
And  youthful  minds  that  yet  can  thrill  afresh 
At  intake  of  the  breath  of  life  breathed  hard,- 
All,  all  respond  to  subtle  influence 
That,  wraith-like  as  her  ever  guarding  fog, 
Is  only  dimly  seen,  and  dimly  sensed; 
But  ever  growing,  creeps  and  winds  itself 
Close,  with  its  tendrils  firmly  rooted,  deep 
Into  the  soil  of  every  heart.     Roots  strong, 
That  penetrate  the  bed-rock  of  the  ground. 


[16] 


Doun  Lyric  Lanes 


LEAVES 


Splashes  of  scarlet  and  orange ! 
Brown-tinged  yellow  and  russet ! 

Leaves ! 

Gorgeous,  glorious  leaves, 
Etchings  and  motifs  of  autumn; 
After  the  season  of  blooming, 
Burnished  with  glorified  colors; 
Riotous,  orient  splendor ! 

Leaves ! 

Languorously  fluttering,  poising, 
Carpeting  bare  open  spaces 
Rich  with  your  orient  weavings. 

Leaves ! 

Down  to  the  earth  you're  descending, 
Back  to  the  mother  who  nourished — 
Draping  her  dullness  with  beauty, 
'Showering  glory  upon  her; 
Even  as  they  who  are  snatching 
Splashes  of  color  from  living, 
Brighten  the  source  with  new  gladness; 
Pierce  the  pale  drab  with  a  splendor ! 
Bringing  the  golden  and  scarlet 
Into  the  browns  and  the  shadows ! 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


IN  FANCY'S  WONDERLAND 

Long  years  ago,  in  childhood  days, 
My  parents  always  thought  my  ways 
Uncommon  strange,  eccentric,  queer; 
For  things  to  them  quite  real  were  mere, 
In  my  small  brain,  fantastic  show; 
Or  stranger  still,  were  all  aglow 
With  glories,  splendors  dear  to  me 
That  none  but  Fancy's  eye  could  see. 
I  could  not  understand 
Why  others  could  not  with  me  share 
Alluring  visions  pictured  there. 

In  our  small  home, 

I  lived  alone 

In  Fancy's  wonderland. 

And  when  they  did  not  comprehend 

My  little  vagrant  visions,  then 

A  new  idea  seized  my  brain : 

(It  first  brought  joy,  and  later  pain.) 

That  I  was  really  not  their  child, 

But  long  years  past  a  brigand  wild, 

Through  crafty,  subtle  act,  unseen, 

Had  stolen  me  from  magic  queen, 

In  mystic  foreign  land. 

And  since  no  filial  love  they  felt, 

For  many  wistful  days  I  dwelt 

On  wrongs  I  knew, 

That  later  grew 

Tn  Fancy's  wonderland. 

[18! 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


When  after  I  was  made  to  feel 

My  parents  were  my  own,  and  real, 

Keen  sorrow  with  the  thought  was  sown, 

That  I  was  only,  as  their  own, 

A  simple  child,  of  simple  birth, 

With  lowly  station  on  the  earth, 

Until  at  last  a  vision  new 

Evolved  itself,  and  ever  grew 

Until  the  world  it  spanned ! 

No  more  in  modest  home  we  dwelt, 

But  in  my  childish  mind  I  felt 

My  home,  once  plain, 

New  grandeur  gain 

In  Fancy's  wonderland. 

I'd  climb  the  rustic  loft  of  hay 
And  to  my  inner  self  I'd  say : 
'These  ruins  add  much  to  the  charm 
Of  these  vast  acres,  wooded  farm 
Of  my  old  squire."    And  gazing  through 
The  farmyard  gate,  I  only  knew 
It  as  the  portal  stately,  tall, 
That  led  into  the  entrance  hall 
Of  castle  large  and  grand. 
And  every  little  rustic  walk 
Or  garden  path,  to  me  would  talk 

Of  wooers  old, 

Knights  brave  and  bold, 

In  Fancy's  wonderland. 


19] 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


In  going  to  my  simple  bed 

I'd  turret  mount,  with  tousled  head 

Held  high;  as  childish  thought  would  roam 

Around  this  mansion,  once  the  home 

Of  royal  knight,  now  far  away; 

And  we,  his  kinsmen,  here  to  stay 

Until  the  wandering  one  returned. 

And  as  the  candle  lower  burned, 

With  childish  eye  I  scanned 

The  curtains,  that  to  me  were  old 

Soft  Persian,  threaded  all  with  gold, 

And  carven  chair, 

And  grandeur  rare, 

In  Fancy's  wonderland. 

At  morn,  as  I  on  pony  sat, 

(In  truth,  'twas  rather  slow  and  fat,) 

I  rode  on  steed  with  flowing  mane, 

And  cantered  through  the  country  lane 

As  if  but  viewing  the  estate 

Of  my  ancestors,  proud  and  great. 

Instead  of  open  fields  and  road, 

Upon  my  steed  of  black  I  rode 

On  tropic  fairy  strand, 

With  tall  trees  waving  as  I  passed, 

And  blossoms  that  forever  last, 

Full  many  miles 

By  bridges,  stiles, 

In  Fancy's  wonderland. 


20 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


A  little  way  below  the  hill 
The  ocean  with  unswerving  will 
Surged  in  upon  the  rock-bound  coast ; 
Here  proudly  I  would  stand  and  boast 
Of  my  domain,  boundless  and  grand ! 
The  water-ways  were  fairy-land 
Where  lived  my  people,  and  the  tide 
Swift  carried  them.    I  saw  them  ride 
High  up  upon  the  sand. 
Toward  visions  vague  as  mist,  I'd  strain 
My  eyes  across  the  restless  main, 

And  long  I'd  gaze 

In  mystic  maze 

In  Fancy's  wonderland. 


O  waves !  Your  rainbow-tinted  spray 
Painted  my  childish  dreams  for  me; 
Created  fair  my  fairy-peopled  strand, 
As  now  your  surging  melody 
Makes  martial  music  on  the  way 
Of  my  abiding,  rarer  wonderland ! 


[21] 


HIGH  NOON 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


TO  MY  FRIEND 

If  I  had  wings  to  carry  me  away, 

I'd  fly  to  you,  O  friend  of  my  glad  heart, 
And  sing  a  melody  of  thankfulness 

For  strength,  of  which  you  gave  the  greater  part. 
For  when  to  me  the  narrow  road  seemed  rough, 

Too  steep  to  climb  to  reach  the  longed-for  goal, 
You  always  guided,  urged  my  tired  feet, 

And  with  your  faith  revived  my  weakened  soul. 

O  tender  heart,  unselfish  in  your  gift, 

And  generous  in  every  helpful  thought, 
In  a  full  tide  my  thanks  flow  back  to  you 

Seeking  the  comfort  that  you  always  brought. 
If  I,  in  simple  note,  can  tune  again 

One  other  silent  voice  to  vibrant  songs, 
To  you  shall  then  return  the  praise  and  joy; 

To  you  the  cup  of  happiness  belongs. 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


BUGLE  NOTE 


Before  you  came  into  my  life,  I  had  not  known 
In  my  un-seeing  heart  there  could  be  sown 
Such  love  that  soon  would  color  fair  a  whole 
New  world  for  me, — illume  my  blinded  soul. 

Before  you  came  into  my  life,  and  altered  all, 
No  voice  had  thundered  forth  the  clarion  call 
"Awake!  thou  idle  dreamer!   Onward  go! 
To  lure  of  laggard's  voice,  dare  answer  'No'." 

Before  you  came  into  my  life,  no  loving  guide 
To  upward  path  walked  ever  by  my  side ; 
Yet  though  with  you  my  heart  can  really  rest, 
Always  I  hear  the  call,  "On !  Live  thy  best !" 


26 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


POTENTIAL 


Do  you  know  how  little  violet  accepts  its  draught  of 

dew, 

And  lifts  its  head  once  more  to  azure  sky? 
Do  you  know  how  golden  gilly-flowers  their  yellow 

cups  uphold, 
Receiving  benediction  from  on  high? 

Thy  friendship  thus  inspires  my  soul  with  gladness, 
And  stirs  my  heart  in  new  desire  to  be 

All  that  I  craved,  all  that  thou  still  believest, 
And  in  thy  blindness  thou  now  thinkest  me. 


[27] 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


SUNRISE 


The  day  dawned  cold,  deserted,  damp  and  drear, 

Nothing  above 
Or  on  the  earth  or  sea  gave  forth  a  sound, 

Save  one  lone  dove. 

Grey  mist  surrounded  it;  I  saw  it  pictured  there 

A  bird  forlorn. 
As,  sad,  it  rested  on  a  storm-swept  branch 

That  cheerless  morn. 

That  one  grey  lonely  dove  murmured  its  plea, 

A  plaintive  cry, 
To  find  its  mate.     My  sad  heart  echoed  forth 

Its  wail  on  high. 

Then  from  the  barren  grey  of  life 

You  came  to  me. 
The  sun  broke  through  illusion's  mist,  and  shone 

Gloriously. 

You  kissed  my  eyes,  my  lips. — Then  tenderly 

You  touched  my  hair, 
Caressingly  you  stroked  its  midnight  mesh, 

And  lingered  there. 


[28 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 

Ah  love,  the  warmth  that  flamed  forth  from  your  eyes 

Dispelled  life's  grey; 
And  there  was  born  anew  that  hour  for  me 

A  fairer  day. 

What  matters  if  all  life  be  one  long  night, 

Dark  skies  and  drear? 
For  me  has  dawned  that  joyous  golden  day — 

My  dawn  is  here ! 


29 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


TO  W.  E.  M. 


I  wonder,  dear,  if  you  can  guess 
How  much  you  give  of  happiness 
In  life's  great  hours  or  moments  less, 
Because — you  understand. 

I  feel  it  matters  not  with  you 
If  I  seem  thoughtless,  or  untrue; 
You  love,  no  matter  what  I  do, 
Because — you  understand. 

Some  look  for  explanations ;  fear 
The  acts  or  deeds  of  which  they  hear, 
And  friendship  bought  thus  proves  too  dear, 
But  you — you  understand. 

Such  faith  as  yours  proves  all  I  need 
To  help  me  strive  for  nobler  deed, 
And  strengthens  me  to  live  my  creed; 
Content — you'll  understand. 


[30 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


SYMBOL  FLOWER 

You  brought  me  a  blossom,  dear, 
You  had  plucked  in  a  wayside  yard; 

A  fragile,  delicate  thing, 

That  whispered  of  your  regard. 

The  day  had  been  steeped  in  fog; 

No  sunshine  kissed  the  pane; 
The  blossom  breathed  of  May, 

Touched  life  with  hope  again. 

You  brought  me  a  symbol,  dear, 

A  delicate,  fragile  thing, 
And  the  fragrance  that  stirred  in  the  air 

Was  you,  and  your  love,  and  Spring. 


ON   UPWARD   TRAILS 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


TWO  ROADS 


The  path  of  Least  Resistance  is  an  easy  path  to  tread, 
For  the  road  seems  broad  and  winding,  and  we  can 
not  see  ahead. 

It  looks  to  be  quite  level,  but  it  really  leads  you  down 
Into  Sure  Dissatisfaction  and  Irritation  Town. 

The  path  of  Daily  Effort  is  a  rocky  road  and  steep; 
But  on  the  rugged  pathway  you  can  always  get  a  peep 
Of  Self-Respect  and  Progress.     And  as  you  higher 

stray 
You'll  find  the  flower  of  Happiness  growing  by  the 

way. 

Although  the  former  pathway  seems  fairer  to  one's 

view, 
It  does  not  lead  to  places  where  you  keep  your  vision 

true; 
The  harder  road  leads  always  on  where  life  is  rugged, 

free. 
Come,  buckle  on  your  mental  spurs  and  mount  the 

heights  with  me. 


35 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


KINSHIP 


I  do  not  feel  myself  descending  low, 
Or  shrinking  into  pale  significance 
When  I  behold  the  wonders  of  the  earth 
Or  recognize  the  strength  of  cosmic  force ; 
But,  as  I  ponder  with  a  searching  mind 
Upon  the  process  and  the  law  of  life, 
I  realize  my  kinship  with  the  source, 
And  find  exhilaration  for  my  soul; 
When  I  become  a  part  of  Infinite 
Mysterious  Nature,  I  cannot  but  know 
That  you,  O  Man,  are  also  linked  with  life, 
And  therefore  greet  you  as  a  soul  sublime. 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


A  PICTURE 


I  saw  him  on  a  busy  street, 
This  night  so  balmy,  mild, 

A  lad  of  eight  or  ten,  perhaps — 
A  little  hungry  child. 

But  brave  he  called  his  evening  news 
In  plaintive  tones,  yet  loud; 

His  tiny  form  could  scarce  be  seen 
Among  the  bustling  crowd. 

His  pleading  voice  made  swift  appeal 
To  my  keen  listening  ear; 

And  eagerly  I  turned  to  him, 
And  quickly  he  drew  near. 

Oh,  not  in  words  he  told  his  tale ! 

His  face,  pale,  sadly  thin, 
Betrayed  a  vital,  urgent  need, 

A  hungry  soul  within. 

Such  hunger — not  alone  for  food, 

But  hunger  of  the  heart 
For  carefree  hours  of  happy  play 

That  should  have  been  his  part. 


37 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


The  tired  lines  and  weary  droop 

Of  head  upon  his  breast 
Appealed  for  hours  that  boyhood  needs 

Of  rich,  life-giving  rest. 

His  very  presence  there  alone, 
With  no  fond  mother  near, 

Was  living  plea  for  sheltering  arms 
That  childhood  holds  most  dear. 

I  then  had  left  a  gallery 

Of  modern  painters'  art, 
But  this,  a  living  picture,  burned 

More  deep  into  my  heart. 


[381 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


THE  CHINA  LILY 

(China-lily  bulbs  will  bloo.m  longer  and  the  fragrance 

be  sweeter  if  bulbs  are  kept  in  the  dark  a  few  days 

after  planting.) 

Sheltered  in  darkness,  humble,  unseen, 
Till  thy  bulbs  burst  into  tenderest  green, 

Blossoming  patiently,  greeting  the  sun 
Only  when  all  thy  maturing  is  done, 

Sweet  China-lily  that  breathes  on  the  air 
Delicate  perfume,  fragrant  and  rare, 

Strong  are  thy  rootlets,  sturdy  thy  stem, 
Teaching  a  wonderful  lesson  to  men. 

****** 

If  we  but  hastily  seize  on  a  theme, 
Build  a  belief  from  a  fabric  of  dream, 
Thought  lacking  judgment  and  reason  and  power 
Fades  into  nothingness — lives  but  an  hour. 


39 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


ON  HEARING  OF  THE  DEATH 
OF  CARUSO 

There  burst  upon  earth's  waiting  ear  a  song ! 

As  if  Life's  orchestration  held  a  tone 
Of  new-found  harmony,  a  vibrant  note 

Of  soothing  sweetness,  not  of  joy  alone 
But  joy  that  mingled  sorrow  in  its  strain, 

Awoke  some  long-lost  chord,  and  tossed  it  free, 
Vibrating  the  heart-strings  of  the  world, 

To  blend  them  in  one  strong  responsive  key. 

And  shall  we  hear  no  more  these  stirring  notes 

Of  beauty?  Can  such  joyous  sounds  be  stilled? 
Nay !  In  the  inner  ear  still  dwells  the  real 

Eternal  music!  All  the  air  is  filled 
With  poignant  memories  undying,  all 

The  melting  tones  the  singer  joyed  to  give; 
While  in  our  consciousness  we  feel,  we  know, 

That  harmonies,  once  sung,  forever  live. 


[40 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


I  WALK  UNAFRAID 


I  leave  behind  uncertainty,  mistrust, 

I  bury  deep  the  faint  and  faltering  word; 

For  I  have  seen  the  work  that  I  must  do, 
The  voice  of  lofty  purpose  I  have  heard. 

No  more  shall  any  hand  turn  me  aside, 

No  more  shall  pleading  voices  bid  me  stay. 

My  feet  are  firmly  set  on  my  own  path, 
And  cannot  from  my  course  be  led  astray. 

Not  I  alone,  but  all  men  walk  with  me; 

All  men  who  keenly  feel  or  see  or  hear 
The  mystery  of  life,  all  tread  the  road 

That  leads  to  height  beyond  all  mortal  fear. 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


BLINDED 


"In  stricken  Poland,"  so  the  item  states, 

"Innumerable  babies  are  born  blind, 
And  scientists  say  in  the  mothers'  womb 
A  lack  of  vital  nourishment  they  find.'7 

A  simple  little  story,  simply  told 

Within  the  pages  of  the  daily  press; 

Not  a  bare  headline  to  attract  the  eye 

Or  vague  suggestion  of  dire  thoughtlessness. 

Are  we,  through  plenty,  even  surplus  now, 
Become  immune  to  thoughts  of  others'  need? 

Do  we  bow  down  before  an  earthly  shrine 
And  place  our  gold  above  all  other  creed? 

It  may  be  that  we,  too,  are  maimed  for  life 
With  loathsome  blight  that  menaces  the  whole 

Fair  race  with  more  far-reaching  direful  scourge, 
With  deadly  blindness  of  the  human  soul. 

Dare  Congress  pause  to  think  on  "Foreign  Trade/ 
Or  "Better  Business,"  while  far  nations  weep? 

When  little  children,  innocent  of  crime, 

In  blindness  cry,  and  in  their  blindness  creep? 


Down  Lyric  Lanes 


PRAYER 


Give  me  Thy  quietness,  Heart  of  the  World; 

I  would  be  still,  and  long  commune  with  Thee. 
My  soul  is  weary  yearning  for  Thy  peace; 

Let  me  repose  in  Thy  tranquility. 
Oft  for  a  moment  I  could  hear  Thy  voice 

Amid  earth's  myriad  noises  sounding  near; 
Too  faintly  came  Thy  message,  my  true  sense 

Of  consciousness  is  dulled.  Thy  voice,  still  dear, 
I  long  to  know.   Give  me  but  power  to  feel 

The  Spirit  of  that  brooding  heart  of  Thine. 
Tune  my  ear  true  that  in  each  human  voice 

I  recognize  the  tone  of  the  Divine. 


[43 


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LD  21-95m-7,'37 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


